Emerging Technological Advancements to Safety and Security Systems in Smart Urban Public Spaces

Abstract

This research delves into perceptions of emerging technological tools to suffice safety & security in urban public space formulations in line with the intentions of many cities around the world and as envisioned by CPTED concepts. As cities evolve into technologically advanced hubs popularly termed as Smart cities, enhancing citizen well-being, and promoting sustainable urban living becomes paramount. The study co-relates urban scenarios of pre-smart city era with post eras w.r.t liveability aspects. This technological transformation, while promising, confronts challenges, notably data security concerns and the seamless integration of the physical devices of IoT (Internet of Things) systems within urban designs. This study addresses the second challenge through the exploration of three aspects of smart systems- intelligent public lighting, smart surveillance, and interactive digital platforms with case studies under each aspect. The objective is twofold: to understand the role of technology in fostering secure urban environments, and to propose an integrative framework of digital security systems in the public realms. This proposed digital ecosystem framework aims to create awareness on possibilities and serve as a guide for municipal decisions in architectural and urban design contexts for amicable accommodation of the physical components of smart systems.